News

Australian Lamb Exports Strong Across Most Cuts

14 August 2014

AUSTRALIA - While lamb production was steady, a 10 per cent increase in exports during the June quarter, to 58,095 tonnes, pointed to less lamb available on the Australian market.

Meat and Livestock Australia said that the increase in exports was across most cut groups: breast & flap, leg, shoulder, manufacturing lamb, rack, shank, shortloin and neck, while there was a small decline in carcase shipments.

Contributing to changes in Australian lamb composition exports during April to June was tight supply from New Zealand and a recovery in demand from North America and the UK.

Shipments to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Qatar registered strong growth compared with the same period last year, while China’s robust demand for lamb breast & flap continued.

MLA report ‘Composition of Australian lamb exports’, released on 8 August, outlines in more detail the driving factors behind shipments of lamb cuts during April to June, following the beef composition report released on 31 July.